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Swan returns home after ball bearing attack

Stuart Rust
The bird had to undergo life-saving surgery. Credit: Wildlife Rescue - Moyles Court
Galya DimitrovaSouth of England

Volunteers have captured the moment when swan that survived a ball bearing attack was released back into the water.

The male bird, which had a several millimetre wide ball bearing lodged next to its jugular vein, was released at Christchurch Quay in Dorset on Sunday, a video by Hampshire-based Moyles Court wildlife rescue shows.

The charity said it had undergone a complexed surgery and nursing care at its wildlife hospital but had now "fully recovered".

Carla Meeks from the rescue said the swan "was very happy to be back home".

News imageWildlife Rescue - Moyles Court An X-ray of a swan in profile. It is facing to the left, with its long beak protruding to the edge of the frame. The bone running through its neck is long and thin like a cable. At the top of the neck, tucked under the head, a white ball can be seen sitting in a swelling. This is, presumably, the ball bearing referenced in the story. Wildlife Rescue - Moyles Court
X-rays revealed the ball bearing embedded in the swan's neck

She added that he had "responded well" to the treatment which lasted nearly three weeks since he had been brought in on 28 April.

Meeks said they would not monitor him as he was professionally clinically assessed before the release.

The team captured a video of the swan honking happily as it jumped back into the waters of its territory.

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